Thoracic back pain is a common complaint among students, office workers and hikers. It is often caused by toting around heavy backpacks or staying hunched over a desk and completing tedious computer work for hours at a time. In some instances, it may also be caused by disease, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries and activities that require repetitive, upper body movements (e.g. assembly line work). Mercifully, the pain and comorbidities commonly associated with thoracic back pain may be addressed with spinal adjustments. If one were to start at the skull and work downward, the thoracic section of the spine would be the area that begins at the base of the neck (T1) and extends to a spot that sits just below a person’s rib cage (T12). Within that area are a dozen vertebrae, intervertebral discs, ligaments, the thoracic spinal nerve and two major muscles. The muscles are known as the longissimus and the spinalis. Together, they help us move our bodies from side to side and support our rib cage, which contains organs essential to life. Spinal adjustments are most useful when thoracic back pain is not related to spinal fractures. In the event of fractures, it may be necessary for a person to undergo back surgery or wear a brace until the bones mend. Afterward, chiropractic care may help address range of motion problems as well as pain that may occur during post-surgery therapy sessions. It is important to note that depending on which area of the thoracic spine is in distress, additional health problems may also occur. The list of comorbidities includes, but doesn’t end with arm muscle weakness, reduced range of motion, sensory disturbances, painful respiration and mixed incontinence. As they are often caused by pinched nerves, spinal adjustments may aid in resolving those comorbidities too. The number of spinal adjustments needed to address those primary and secondary health concerns will vary based on two main factors: 1) the extent of the injury and 2) the body’s ability to respond to treatment. To find out more about thoracic back pain and the role spinal adjustments may play in its resolution, call our Indianapolis chiropractic office today and schedule a consultation with a licensed chiropractor. Image courtesy of stockimages /...

Routine spinal adjustments are an important part of maintaining the posture and spinal orientation necessary for a healthy and independent lifestyle. Whether you are looking to treat already existing issues or prevent them from occurring in the first place, routine adjustment of the spine by an experienced Indianapolis chiropractor may be a great course of action to take. By learning more about spinal adjustment, deciding if it is right for your needs should be possible. Little Side Effects With other treatment options for back pain such as over-the-counter inflammation reducers or narcotic pain relief medication, there are a large array of potential side effects. If these medications are used over a long period of time, their negative side effects can often outweigh the short term pain relief provided. On the other hand, chiropractic treatment has almost no negative side effects. According to The Survival Doctor, “ For short-term back pain, some studies have shown that chiropractic can be as effective as or more effective than conventional treatment. For long-term back pain, a 2004 analysis published by the respected Cochrane Collaboration found that chiropractic adjustments were as good as but not better than other treatments like physical therapy, exercise or pain medication.” In summary, routine spinal adjustments are effective at treating pain and enhancing the prospect of recovery, but other options such as exercise or physical therapy should be considered independently or in combination with chiropractic treatment. Over Time Bones Misalign Even individuals who exercise regularly may find that the bones in their spine fall into misalignment over time. When any of the 24 bones that make up the spine fall into misalignment, it can pinch, choke or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The pain caused by this may lead to a bad posture, furthering the development of more severe problems. Call our chiropractic clinic today to schedule a consultation. Image courtesy of stockimages /...